ICE Phoenix removes Mexican fugitive

NOGALES, Ariz. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removed Edgar Damian Sandoval-Albarran, also known as “La Rana,” a 39-year-old Mexican fugitive wanted in Mexico for the offense of organized crime and forced disappearance of persons, June 26.

ICE transported Sandoval-Albarran from the Florence Detention Center to the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, where he was transferred to the custody of Mexican authorities.

“The removal of Sandoval-Albarran demonstrates the collaborative, whole-of-government approach that ICE supports in protecting the citizens of the U.S.,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Phoenix Field Office Director John Cantú. “Our dedicated officers and partners in law enforcement have worked tirelessly to ensure that such individuals are brought to justice and then removed from the United States.”

Sandoval-Albarran was previously expelled to Mexico on eight occasions in May, June, Nov., and Dec., 2020. He reentered the U.S. illegally on an unknown date, at an unknown location. ERO Los Angeles Foreign Fugitive Unit (FFU), received an arrest warrant for Sandoval-Albarran issued by the Government of Mexico, for the offense of organized crime and forced disappearance of persons, Sept. 12, 2024. ERO Los Angeles, arrested Sandoval-Albarran during a targeted enforcement operation in Paso Robles, CA. Jan. 7.

Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives, transnational gang members or other criminal aliens who are in the U.S. illegally, are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) 347-2423, or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.

For more news and information on how ICE carries out its immigration enforcement mission in Arizona, follow us on X, @ERO_PHOENIX.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)